SEWARD, Neb. – The Bulldogs swarmed the Lancers seemingly the entire 90 minutes but couldn’t get the final result as the two teams finished deadlocked (0-0) at full time on Wednesday (Oct. 1). Concordia University, Nebraska pummeled the 18-yard box for 20 shots to the Lancers’ four. Grady Smith and Aliya Vidro combined for a complete shutout for the Dawgs.
The Seward squad continues its regular season unbeaten streak to 15-0-4 since last season and an 11-0-2 record at home since Sept. 28, 2024. The 2025 team’s slate performance moves to 7-0-4 overall and 2-0-2 GPAC.
“I can’t really fault our group tonight,” Head Coach Nick Smith said. “We put in a really good effort overall. It comes down to some decision making on the final ball or shot at the end of the night. You outshoot a team 20-4, you are probably expecting that you are winning that game. Mount Marty did a good job of being organized and putting 10 players behind the ball. Ultimately, I wanted just a bit more composure in the second half.”
With the majority of the possession at the feet of the home whites, the Bulldogs put the offensive intensity into hyperdrive shooting 15 chances in the final frame. Kierstynn Garner (four), Charli Priester (four), Kyana Rios (three), Guadalupe Sanchez (three), Savannah Andrews (two) and Abby Haynes (two) made up the bulk of the opportunities to change the scoreboard.
In one of the many good chances to take the go-ahead goal, Shelby Rugg sprinted down the sideline to still an Evie Keller pass. The senior wing crossed the ball into the penalty area to an open Priester. The Columbus, Neb., native settled the ball with her chest and swung away as the Mount Marty keeper fell to her left and grabbed the save.
Smith started the first half in goal and Vidro finished the time in the net for the two-person clean sheet. The duo combined for four saves and finally got the strived-for opponents’ nil.
Said Smith, “A huge step forward for us tonight was that we have not conceded. It has been a big focus of ours in the last couple of games. We have given too soft of goals in previous games and tonight, we were really sound defensively. Each of the two, came up big in their moment.”
The Lancers (5-4-1, 2-1-1 GPAC) break an all-time losing streak that Concordia had since the beginning of the matchup, which now has a total record of 23-0-1 in favor of the Dawgs. MMU relied on GPAC Defensive Player of the Week Brooklyn McNac in goal with 10 saves for the opposition’s shutout. Mika Moriera paced the visitors with two shots.
Concordia (7-0-4, 2-0-2 GPAC) will travel to Morningside (5-1-2, 2-1 GPAC) for an important GPAC match to stay in the top of the conference standings early on. First kick is set for 8 p.m. CT on Saturday at Elwood Olsen Stadium. The Bulldogs defeated the Mustangs, 3-1, in last season’s bout.